CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSAt 0630 3 November 1942, the First Battalion, 2nd Marines began advancing west from the Point Cruz area, aiming for a area designated as the O3 Line. Shortly after noon, when about 300 yards short of the objective, they ran into a hornet’s nest of machine gun and mortar fire, and suffered 74 casualties before withdrawing to defensive positions.Private First Class Raymond Sanders was hit by shrapnel and killed during this engagement. His body was left on the field, “presumably buried… at place of death.” The exact location was not recorded, and his remains were never found.

INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONSPurple Heart

LAST KNOWN RANKPrivate First Class

STATUS OF REMAINS“Not recovered, presumably buried in the field at place of death.”